Soccer-No pressure says MLS's highest paid player Insigne

By Steve Keating

TORONTO (Reuters) - Lorenzo Insigne may be viewed as one of Major League Soccer's most significant signings but the Italy international shrugged off the notion that he was under any pressure when Toronto FC introduced their prize recruit on Monday.

MLS has seen a flurry of big name signings in recent months, including Wales international Gareth Bale, who joined Los Angeles FC on Monday after his departure from LaLiga champions Real Madrid.

But it is Toronto FC's ability to secure a talent like Insigne, 31, in his prime that is being recognised as a watershed moment for MLS as it tries to shrug off a reputation as a well-paid final stop for international players in the downside of their careers.

"The minute we signed Lorenzo our profile was raised," said Toronto FC president Bill Manning. "We're seeing interest in our club from abroad in some ways like we've never seen it before.

"We've had a number of good players sign with this club but no one of this magnitude.

"We have a lot of ambition at our club and we're really looking over these next four or five years for Lorenzo to be a foundational piece."

Landing someone of Insigne's quality does not come cheap, Toronto beating off several European clubs for the Napoli captain's services and luring him to North America with a four-year deal worth a reported $15 million a season.

Chicago Fire's Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri currently tops the MLS salary list at $8.15 million.

With Insigne becoming MLS's highest paid player, Toronto FC and their fans will expect a return on that investment as will the league as it looks to attract more players of his quality.

If Insigne was feeling any pressure it did not show as the Italian, wearing a crisp white jacket and